Visual Arts
(Grades 9, 10, 11, 12) Everyday - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit
This beginning design course will introduce the elements of art and the principles of design through using a variety of digital media including digital photography, graphics, digital illustration and typography. The class will introduce students to the Mac Lab and the digital platforms of industry standard software. Practice and exploration will focus on the design process as well as being introduced to historic and current designers in the fields of digital photography, graphic design, digital illustration, fashion design, typography and more. Throughout the semester, emphasis is placed on creative problem solving and critical thinking. Projects range from exercises and digital skill building to finished projects demonstrating personal choices and interests. This is an introductory course, no previous experience needed.
(Grades 10, 11, 12) Everyday - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit
Drawing & Painting 1
(Grades 9, 10, 11, 12) Everyday - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit
Make your mark! This beginner level hands-on art course teaches you how to use a variety of drawing and painting methods, media and materials to create fun and exciting two-dimensional artworks. You’ll learn how the elements of art and principles of design guide your work to create unique projects in new imaginative ways. As artists and designers, you’ll use a personal sketchbook and develop new technical skills through practice, experiments and exploration. Throughout the semester, emphasis is placed on creative problem solving, critical thinking and exposure to historical and current artists and designers. Choice-based projects express your individuality, imagination, and personal interests. This is an introductory course, no previous experience needed.
Drawing & Painting 2
(Grades 10, 11, 12) Everyday - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit
Course Sequence: Completion of Drawing & Painting 1
It’s all about the color! Push your drawing & painting skills by making vibrantly colorful artworks using advanced methods, materials and media. Continue to explore various techniques and build upon fresh new ideas and innovations throughout the course. You’ll expand upon prior knowledge, explore exciting vibrant design concepts and discover the impact of how color theory plays a role in what we make and see every day. Additionally, individualized learning and interests makes this course unique for pursuing your own creative choices, as well as expanding your use of color and reinforcing the elements and principles of design. This course builds on previously learned skills and techniques; prerequisite is Drawing & Painting 1.
[this course is available to students who successfully completed Art & Design 1]
(Grades 9, 10, 11, 12) Everyday - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit
Working with your hands you create 3D forms and sculptures using a variety of materials and tools. Projects focus on exploring Form and Design to construct unique objects in new imaginative ways. This course will introduce the elements of art and principles of design as they apply to the 3D world of art. You learn to work with materials like clay, found objects, recyclable materials, paper-mache, wood and more while learning to document and edit your process through digital photography. Your semester will emphasize creative problem solving and critical thinking, as well as introduce historic and current sculptors and artists. As a result, you’ll create various 3D projects that show your individuality, imagination and personal expression. This is an introductory course, no previous experience needed.
(Grades 10, 11, 12) Everyday - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit
(Grades 11 & 12) Everyday - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit
[offered Fall semester only]
Course Sequence: Completion of level 2 series (ie. D/P1 & 2; 3D/Sculp 1 & 2; DD 1 & 2)
At this advanced honors level course, you’ll expand upon your previous course experience to develop a personalized series of work that builds a general portfolio within your chosen specified area. Throughout the semester you’ll become prepared for studying art & design at the college level or beginning a career path in the visual arts. Individualized deeper study and understanding of your own artistic practice begins through designing and creating a body of work that relates in theme, media, purpose, or style. Choices of study range from architecture, drawing & painting, sculpture, fashion design, advanced digital media (including photography, film/animation, graphics, etc.), illustration/comic design and more. Build your future where everything creative is possible!
(Grades 11 & 12) Everyday - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit
[offered Spring semester only]
Course Sequence: Completion of Portfolio - honors
This course offers a college-level visual arts curriculum in our high school environment. As artists and designers, you’ll be expected to produce a minimum number of projects that explore your chosen sustained investigation of concepts, media or subject matter in continuation from your Portfolio – honors course. Emphasis is placed on work that demonstrates sophistication, conceptualization, meaning, intent and visual communication, while expressing your unique personal voice. Your understanding of the fundamentals of two-dimensional design, drawing or three-dimensional design and the recognition of the history of art will foster your development of visual ideas. Throughout the semester critique process. Students will have the option to submit a portfolio for the AP Examination to receive possible college credit for this course. Art & Design is a language that can begin your future, what will you say?
(Grades 9, 10, 11, 12) Every other day - Full Semester - 0.5 Credit
Art Appreciation takes students on a journey that introduces a unique learning approach for those who appreciate and like looking at art, but may shy away from an art-making course. The combination of Internet and classroom experience presents students with both Western and non-Western art forms in architecture, design, painting, photography, sculpture and more. Students discover how the visual arts serve to shape and reflect ideas, issues, and themes recorded throughout time. Additionally, students are given some hands-on activities and mini art projects throughout the course to connect historical and artistic content. This is an introductory course, no previous experience needed.